Seven months after their joint not guilty plea, the four former Mayor Pro Tem staffers who were accused of giving themselves improper bonuses have a trial date.
State District Judge Michael McSpadden scheduled a Nov. 12 trial for Rosita Hernandez, Florence Watkins, Christopher Mays and Theresa Orta.The decision, with which attorneys for both sides agreed, was based on the fact that the four were indicted together and their defenses are expected to be similar.
Each could ask later for a separate trial if it becomes clear that the defense strategies will differ sharply, said Assistant District Attorney Don Smyth.
Attorney Walter Boyd said his client, Hernandez, is looking forward to getting the matter resolved.
"There's no basis for the allegations against my client or any of the others," Boyd said.
Smyth said he, too, wants to get the case resolved because "somebody did something wrong."
"Whether it's criminal or not, we'll put it in front of 12 citizens and let them decide," he said.
The four, who are free on bail, have pleaded not guilty to charges of theft by a public servant and tampering with a public record. A Harris County grand jury last year issued a total of nine indictments.